Situated at the confluence of the Drac and Isère rivers, Grenoble is the capital of the Alpes du Dauphiné. Although it's very much a bustling university and research centre, the city retains its identity as a mountain town, surrounded as it is by high peaks, and places emphasis on the natural beauty of the region.
Grenoble is packed with quiet squares: some are tree-lined, some have a fountain, and many are surrounded by cafés and boutiques. Head to the place Victor Hugo and the place Notre-Dame to experience typical Grenoble style. Student life abounds day and night in the city's cafés. At the place Saint André, you'll find the second oldest café in France, Le Café de la Table Ronde, founded in 1739, where you can sample their coffee or hot chocolate.
The city's most notable resident was the writer Stendhal, and you can follow the "Stendhal Itinerary", to see the Jardin de Ville, where he met his first love, his birthplace (which now houses a museum dedicated the liberation of Grenoble in WWII) and the Musée Stendhal, where you can examine original manuscripts by the writer.
The city experienced rapid expansion in the second half of the 20th-century, with growth in industry, science and technology. Grenoble is considered one of France's major science and technology research centres, and is home to biology, computer science, physics and nuclear research laboratories. The modern side of the city is reflected in its research universities, a modern tram system and a collection of contemporary art museums. The Musée de Grenoble holds the city's premiere contemporary art collection, and it permanently houses works by Canaletto, Rubens and Gaudi. Be sure to look out for the free Sunday concerts in the city's museums
Grenoble has a large selection of outdoor activities both in the city and in the surrounding mountains. The ball-shaped cabines of the Téléphérique de la Bastille will take you to the top of the little hill in the centre of the city for excellent views and walking trails. The nature reserve, le Parc Naturel Régional du Vercor, offers year-round natural beauty, with trails for hiking, cycling or cross-country skiing. Ski resorts nearby offer Alpine trails at their best. Les Sept Laux, Chamrousse and several other resorts of the Vercors are within each reach of the city.
